Deptford pubs

Funky, on-the-rise area wedged between New Cross and Greenwich, with easy access to both. Market day is highly recommended.

The Deptford Arms, 52 Deptford High St, SE8 4RT

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Rocking pub in a great area of town. Deptford feels like Fulham used to 15 years ago - lively and not yet full of high-rent fools. All-shook-up mix of everyone from the area, the spartanly decorated interior doesn't detract from the amount of fun going down. The garden offers attractive views of the waste disposal vehicles parked to the rear, complete with nauseating smells wafting over now and then. The beer selection isn't one for connoisseurs, nor is the food, but the atmosphere amply makes up for these two deficits. A smashing pub, often rammed, well worth it if you're in the area. There's a TV, but it's tuned to horse racing.

Reviewed by Fred Flange, Jul 2005

Telephone: 020 8692 1180

Nearby pubs: White Swan, 217 Deptford High Street (440 metres), The Greenwich Inn, 17 Greenwich High Road (450 metres), The Royal Albert, 460 New Cross Rd (250 metres), The Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Rd (370 metres)

Nearest station: Deptford, Zone 2 (190 metres)

The Dog and Bell, 116 Prince Street, SE8 3JD

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Although this place comes highly recommended according to some rival pub review websites, I wasn't so sure at first. It lies in a distinctly dodgy area of London but that didn't stop me from negotiating a slightly ill thought out short cut across bandit country from New Cross Station. I was then confronted by the word MILLWALL scrawled maliciously on the wall opposite the pub. As it was the football off season I thought it would be safe enough to venture inside the pub, after all I had agreed to meet Fred here. On entering it was empty save two old men at the bar watching Wimbledon on TV. There was no sign of any bar staff, although there were some encouraging noises emanating from the cellar. Eventually the friendly barman surfaced and things immediately started to look up. I was served a delicious pint of Priory Mild and then Fred arrived with a group of other people hot on his heels - no they weren't rampaging Millwall fans, instead they actually resembled middle class tourists looking for a taste of the real London. The main draw with this pub is the beer: real ale. It's kept in excellent condition too judging by the amount of time the barman spends in the cellar (unless he was burying the last Hammers fan that entered the pub down there). There is a small beer garden in addition to a pool table and dartboard at the back. A good pub.

Reviewed by Paul Melton, Jul 2005

Telephone: 020 8692 5664

Nearby pubs: White Swan, 217 Deptford High Street (290 metres)

Nearest station: Deptford, Zone 2 (730 metres)

White Swan, 217 Deptford High Street, SE8 3NT

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The White Swan used to be a coaching inn during the 1800s, serving all manner of passing trade. The pub is now a local pub, but worth a visit for the history. Although a huge sky TV screen and prominently placed pool table dominates the bar, you may struggle to see either through the the smoke. It's a good reminder of what pubs were like before they started serving wine and food. An experience.

Reviewed by Nick, Oct 2006

Telephone: 020 8694 8807

Nearby pubs: The Dog and Bell, 116 Prince Street (290 metres), The Deptford Arms, 52 Deptford High St (440 metres)

Nearest station: Deptford, Zone 2 (490 metres)